Swivel pedestal for seats

ABSTRACT

Swivel pedestal for seats including a first element carried by rotatable seat support means with a second element carried by base means being spring urged into locking engagement with the first element. The second element is moved out of locking engagement by depressing the outer end portion of an actuating arm preferably eccentrically connected to the base means to cause the second element to move outwardly and upwardly. The first element is in the form of a screw threaded to the seat support means and having a lower convex head in supporting engagement with a horizontal surface having a concave recess opposite the second element.

[ Feb. 25, 1975 SWIVEL PEDESTAL FOR SEATS [75] Inventor: Howard M. Quakenbush, Monona Village, Wis.

Flexsteel Industries, Inc., Dubuque, Iowa 221 Filed: July 20,1973

211 App]. N0.Z 381,157

[73] Assignee:

[52] US. Cl. 248/418, 297/349 [51] Int. Cl. A47c 1/00, F16m 11/08 [58] Field of Search 248/415, 417, 418, 425,

. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Robert W. Gibson, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmVan Metre Lund; John C.

Brezina [57] ABSTRACT Swivel pedestal for seats including a first element car ried by rotatable seat support means with a second element carried by base means being spring urged into locking engagement with the first element. The second element is moved out of locking engagement by depressing the outer end portion of an actuating arm preferably eccentrically connected to the base means to cause the second element to move outwardly and upwardly. The first element is in the form of a screw 1,666,391 4/1928 Masury 2481418 threaded to the Seat pp means and having a lower 1,696,536 12/1928 Hansen et a1. 248/425 X convex head in supporting engagement with a horizon- 2,l48,l87 2/1939 Burnham 248/425 tal surface having a concave recess opposite the sec- 2,312,030 211943 Cramer et a1. 248/418 x 0nd element 3,338,622 8/1967 Bachmann 248/418 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1,448,864 7/1966 France 297/349 2: :JL'ZL:

32 2e 34 21 lllnd flll 11 PATENTH] F532 51975 3; 86 8 O 84 sum 2 95 2 FIG.4

SWIVEL PEDESTAL FOR SEATS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a swivel pedestal for seats and more particularly to a swivel pedestal operative to securely lock a seat in one position but allowing free rotation when desired.

Swivel pedestals have been proposed in the prior art but have generally been complicated and expensive constructions and/or have been difficult to lock and unlock and lacking in durability and reliability. They have not generally been suitable for use in moving vehicles such as campers and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention was evolved with the general object of overcoming the disadvantages of prior art swivel pedestal constructions and of providing a swivel pedestal which is relatively simple in construction and operation and economically manufacturable while being rugged, durable and reliable.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a suitable pedestal which is particularly advantageous for supporting seats in campers or other movable vehicles.

In a swivel pedestal according to the invention, seat support means are journalled on base means for rotation about a vertical axis, by support means which may preferably comprise a tubular member upstanding from the base means and defining a socket having an inside cylindrical surface and receiving and in bearing relation with the outer cylindrical surface of a member depending from the seat support means.

In accordance with a specific feature, a screw is threaded into the seat support means on a vertical axis spaced outwardly from the axis of rotation and has a lower head portion in supporting engagement with a horizontal support surface which may preferably be defined by an annular plate welded or otherwise secured to the tubular member of the rotational journalling means. The lower head portion of the screw is preferably convex and a concave recess is provided in the horizontal supporting surface to receive the convex head at a predetermined angular position of the seat support means. When the seat support means is in said predetermined angular position, a certain amount of torque must be applied to the seat support means in order to lift the convex head out of the concave recess by camming action. When the seat support means is rotated back to a position closely approaching the aforesaid predetermined angular position, the weight of the seat support means and that of a seat and person supported thereby tend to force the seat support means fully into the aforesaid predetermined angular position with the convex head fully seated in the concave recess.

This arrangement is also advantageous in that the screw may be rotated to adjust the vertical position ofthe seat support means relative to the base means.

Another important feature of the invention relates to the provision of a locking element supported from the base means and spring-urged toward engagement with an element carried by the seat support means, preferably the screw carried as above described. The locking element is moved out of its locking position by depressing the outer end portion of an arm supported from the base means and projecting radially outwardly with respect to the vertical axis of rotation of the seat support means.

A specific feature relates to the support of the actuating arm through an arrangement which causes the locking element to be moved outwardly and also upwardly in response to downward movement of the outer portion of the actuating arm. Preferably, a compact eccentric arrangement is used for this purpose.

Additional features relate to details of construction such as to obtain a pedestal which is rugged, durable and reliable while being economically manufacturable.

This invention contemplates other objects, features and advantages which will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a swivel pedestal for seats constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the swivel pedestal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IIIIII of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IV-IV of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference number 10 generally designates a swivel pedestal for seats constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention. The swivel pedestal I0 is especially designed for use in campers or similar vehicles and is designed to securely lock 21 seat in a predetermined position, as when the vehicle is being moved, while permitting rotation of the seat, as when the vehicle is stationary. It will be understood, of course, that the swivel pedestal may be used for other applications.

The swivel pedestal 10 comprises a seat support member 11 and a base member 12. Seat support member 11 is preferably formed of sheet steel and has a central portion of V-shaped cross-sectional configuration with two side flanges l3 and 14 adapted to be secured by screws or bolts to the underside of a seat. Similarly, base member 12 is of inverted V-shaped cross-sectional configuration with two side flanges 15 and 16 adapted to be secured by screws or bolts to a floor.

Support means are provided journalling the seat support member on the base member 12 for rotation about a vertical axis. In particular, a cylindrical member 17, preferably of hollow tubular form, has an upper end portion welded or otherwise secured in an opening in the seat support member 11 and has a lower end portion journalled within an inside cylindrical surface of a member 18, preferably tubular which has a lower end portion welded or otherwise secured in an opening in the base member 12. The member 17 is thus journalled for rotation in the member 18 and is also movable vertically relative thereto, in telescoping relation.

For vertical support of the seat support member 11, an element 20 is secured thereto, element 20 preferably being in the form of a screw having an upper threaded shank portion 21 threaded into an internally threaded collar 22 which is welded or otherwise secured in an opening in the seat support member 11. The element 20 has a lower rounded head portion 23 defining a convex surface which is engagable with a horizontal support surface defined by the upper surface of an annular plate 24 which is welded or otherwise secured on the member 18 in surrounding relation thereto. The plate 24 has an indentation defining a recess 25 with a concave surface in whichthe head por tion 23 seats at a certain angular position of the seat, support member 11, as illustrated. Element 20 is rotatable to adjust the vertical, position of the seat support member 11 afterwhich a nuta may be tightened against the collar 22to frictionally lock the element 20 against rotation.

Releasable locking means are provided for securely retaining the seat support member 11 in the illustrated position in which the'rounded head portion 23 is seated in the recess 25. In particular, a locking element 26, is

provided which is spring-urged radially inwardly to- V ward the axis of rotation of the seat support member, the inner end face of member 26 having a central recess 28 which receives the shank portion 21 of element 7 20 and having portions 29 and 30 on opposite sides of the recess 28. When thelocking element 26 has moved radially outwardly, the seat support member 11 can be rotated,a certain amount of torque being requiredto.

move the head portion 23 upwardly out of the recess 25, after which the seat support member 11 is freely rotatable with head portion 23 being slidably supported on the upper surface of the annular plate 24.

When, during rotation, the seat support member 11 approaches the illustrated position, the shank portion 21 of element 20 engages one or the other of the face portions 29 and 30 to cam the locking element 26 outwardly and when the convex rounded lower end of the head 23 startsto enter the recess 25, the force of gravity causes the head portion 23 to seat in the recess 25, whereupon the locking element 26 is moved inwardly to embrace the shank portion 21 in the recess 28. Also,

the element 26 is closely adjacent the upper side of the head portion 23 of element 20 to prevent upward movement of the seat support member 11, Thus the,

the user to be pressed downwardly to move the locking element 26 outwardly away from the element 20. The locking element is secured to an inner end portion of the arm 32 by rivets 34 and a pair of coiled tension springs 35 and 36 extend along opposite sides of the element 26, the springs 35 and 36 having outer ends hooked to the arm 34 and having inner ends hooked to the plate 24.

The arm 32 is supported fromthe base member 12 in a manner such that when the outer end portion 33 3 thereof is moved downwardly, the locking element 26 is moved outwardly and upwardly. In particular, a lever 38 is welded or otherwise secured to the underside of the inner end portion of arm 32 and extends between a pair of spaced parallel vertical plates 39 and 40 having lower edges welded to the base member 12 and having inner edges welded to the member 18. A cylindrical disc member 41 is disposed in bearing relation in an opening 42 in the lever 38and a pin 43 extends through an opening ,in the disc member 41 on an. axis offset from the axis of the member 41, the opposite ends of V the pin 43 being secured in openings in the plates 39 I and 40; The lever 38 has a portion 44 extending down wardly into an opening 45 in the base member 12. In the locked position of element 26 as illustrated,

the axis of the'cylindrical disc member 41 is disposed downwardly from the axis of thelpinn43' in approximately vertical alignment therewith. 'When the I outer end portion33 of the actuating arm 32 is moved down-,

wardly, the downwardly. projectingportion 44 of the lever 38 engages theinner edge of opening 45, causing the portion of lever 38 opposite the axis of the disc member 411 tomoveoutwardly and causing rotationof the disc member 41' about the axis of the pin 43, in a cloekwisedirection as viewedin FIG. 4,.thereby caus-:

ing the inner end of the actuating arm '32 and the ele I ment 26 thereon to move upwardly as well as radially outwardly, away from the shankportion 2 1 and the head portion 23 of the element 20. Upon rotation of ithe seat support member l1, the head portion 23 of ele ment 20 then can move upwardly outof the recess 25 t after which the actuating arm 32 may be released to be returned by the springs 35 and 36 to the illustrated position. The seat support member 11 can then be rotated freely with sliding supporting'engagement between the rounded head portion 23 andthe upper surface of the annular plate 24., 7

As previously indicated, whenthe seat support member 11 is rotated toward the illustrated position, the shank portion. 21 of element 20 engages one or the other of the face portions'29 or 30 of the element 26 to cam the element 26 outwardly against the force exertedby the springs 35 and 36 and when the convex roundedlower end of the head portion 23 starts to enter the'recess 25, the force of gravity causes the head portion23 to seat in the recess 25, whereupon the locking element 26 is moved inwardly by the springs 35 and 36 to embrace theshank portion 21 in the recess 28 and to limit upward movement of the seat support member.

It will be understood thatmodifi'cations and variations may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the movel concepts of this invention.

[claim as my invention: 1. In a swivel pedestal for seats, base means, seat support means, means journalling said seatsupport means I on said base means for rotation of said seat support means about a vertical axis, locking means for locking said seat support means against rotation relative to said base means and comprising a first element projecting downwardly from said seat support means, a second element supported, for movement relative to said base means, spring means'urging said second element into locking engagement with said first element, andan actuating arm connected to said second element and projecting generally radially outwardly'with respect to'said axis to an end portion, said end portion being movable downwardly to move said second elementaway from locking engagement with said first element to allow r0- tation of said seat support means, said second element being rigidly secured to an inner; end portion of said actuating arm, and pivotal connection means between said arm and said base means, said pivotal connection means being arranged for moving said second element radially outwardly away from said vertical axis in response to downward movement of said outer endpon tion of said arm, said pivotal connection means comprising a pivotal member journalled on said base means for pivotal movement about a first horizontal axis spaced from said vertical axis and below said second element, and lever means connected to said actuating arm and journalled on said pivotal member for pivotal movement relative thereto about a second horizontal axis spaced downwardly from said first horizontal axis, said lever means including a portion engagable with said base means at a point below said second horizontal axis.

2. In a swivel pedestal for seats, base means, seat support means, means journalling said seat support means on said base means for rotation of said seat support means about a vertical axis, locking means for locking said seat support means against rotation relative to said base means and comprising a first element projecting downwardly from said seat support means, spring means urging said second element into locking engagement with said first element, and an actuating arm connected to said second element and projecting generally radially outwardly with respect to said axis to an end portion, said end portion being movable downwardly to i move said second element away from locking engagement with said first element to allow rotation of said seat support means, means on said base means defining a generally horizontal surface extending around said vertical axis in supporting engagement with a lower end of said first element to support said seat support means through said first element, said horizontal surface having a recess therein in alignment with said second element, said support means being arranged to allow downward movement of said seat support means to seat said lower end of said first element in said recess.

3. In a swivel pedestal as defined in claim 2, said recess being of concave shape, and said lower end of said first element being of convex complimentary shape.

4. In a swivel pedestal for seats, base means, seat support means, means journalling said seat support means on said base means for rotation of said seat support means about a vertical axis, locking means for locking said seat support means against rotation relative said base means and comprising a first element projecting downwardly from said seat support means, spring means urging said second element into locking engagement with said first element, and an actuating arm connected to said second element and projecting generally radially outwardly with respect to said axis to an end portion, said end portion being movable downwardly to move said second element away from looking engagement with said first element to allow rotation of said seat support means, means on said base means defining a generally horizontal surface extending around said vertical axis in supporting engagement with a lower end of said first element to support said seat support means through said first element, said first element being threaded into said seat support means for rotation about a vertical axis to adjust the vertical position of said seat support means relative to said base means.

5. in a swivel pedestal for seats, base means, seat sup port means, means journalling said seat support means on said base means for rotation of said seat support means about a vertical axis, locking means for locking said seat support means against rotation relative said base means and comprising a first element projecting downwardly from said seat support means, spring means urging said second element into locking engagement with said first element, and an actuating arm connected to said second element and projecting generally radially outwardly with respect to said axis to an end portion, said end portion being movable downwardly to move said second element away from locking engagement with said first element to allow rotation of said seat support means, means on said base means defining a generally horizontal surface extending around said vertical axis in supporting engagement with a lower end of said first element to support said seat support means through said first element, said first element being of generally cylindrical shape and having an axis in outwardly spaced parallel relation to said vertical axis of rotation, and said second element having an inner end face for engaging said first element, said inner end face of said second element having a central recess for receiving said first element in one position of said seat support means and having portions on opposite sides of said central recess for camming engagement by said first element to move said second element outwardly upon rotation of said seat support means toward said one position 

1. In a swivel pedestal for seats, base means, seat support means, means journalling said seat support means on said base means for rotation of said seat support means about a vertical axis, locking means for locking said seat support means against rotation relative to said base means and comprising a first element projecting downwardly from said seat support means, a second element supported for movement relative to said base means, spring means urging said second element into locking engagement with said first element, and an actuating arm connected to said second element and projecting generally radially outwardly with respect to said axis to an end portion, said end portion being movable downwardly to move said second element away from locking engagement with said first element to allow rotation of said seat support means, said second element being rigidly secured to an inner end portion of said actuating arm, and pivotal connection means between said arm and said base means, said pivotal connection means being arranged for moving said second element radially outwardly away from said vertical axis in response to downward movement of said outer end portion of said arm, said pivotal connection means comprising a pivotal member journalled on said base means for pivotal movement about a first horizontal axis spaced from said vertical axis and below said second element, and lever means connected to said actuating arm and journalled on said pivotal member for pivotal movement relative thereto about a second horizontal axis spaced downwardly from said first horizontal axis, said lever means including a portion engagable with said base means at a point below said second horizontal axis.
 2. In a swivel pedestal for seats, base means, seat support means, means journalling said seat support means on said base means for rotation of said seat support means about a vertical axis, locking means for locking said seat support means against rotation relative to said base means and comprising a first element projecting downwardly from said seat support means, spring means urging said second element into locking engagement with said first element, and an actuating arm connected to said second element and projecting generally radially outwardly with respect to said axis to an end portion, said end portion being movable downwardly to move said second element away from locking engagement with said first element to allow rotation of said seat support means, means on said base means defining a generally horizontal surface extending around said vertical axis in supporting engagement with a lower end of said first element to support said seat support means through said first element, said horizontal surface having a recess therein in alignment with said second element, said support means being arranged to allow downward movement of said seat support means to seat said lower end of said first element in said recess.
 3. In a swivel pedestal as defined in claim 2, said recess being of concave shape, and said lower end of said first element being of convex complimentary shape.
 4. In a swivel pedestal for seats, base means, seat support means, means journalling said seat support means on said base means for rotation of said seat support means about a vertical axis, locking means for locking said seat support means against rotation relative said base means and comprising a first element projecting downwardly from said seat support means, spring means urging said second element into locking engagement with said first element, and an actuating arm connected to said second element and projecting generally radially outwardly with respect to said axis to an end portion, said end portion being movable downwardly to move said second element away from locking engagement with said first element to allow rotation of said seat support means, means on said base means defining a generally horizontal surface extending around said vertical axis in supporting engagement with a lower end of said first element to support said seat support means through said first element, said first element being threaded into said seat support means for rotation about a vertical axis to adjust the vertical position of said seat support means relative to said base means.
 5. In a swivel pedestal for seats, base means, seat support means, means journalling said seat support means on said base means for rotation of said seat support means about a vertical axis, locking means for locking said seat support means against rotation relative said base means and comprising a first element projecting downwardly from said seat support means, spring means urging said second element into locking engagement with said first element, and an actuating arm connected to said second element and projecting generally radially outwardly with respect to said axis to an end portion, said end portion being movable downwardly to move said second element away from locking engagement with said first element to allow rotation of said seat support means, means on said base means defining a generally horizontal surface extending around said vertical axis in supporting engagement with a lower end of said first element to support said seat support means through said first element, said first element being of generally cylindrical shape and having an axis in outwardly spaced parallel relation to said vertical axis of rotation, and said second element having an inner end face for engaging said first element, said inner end face of said second element having a central recess for receiving said first element in one position of said seat support means and having portions on opposite sides of said central recess for camming engagement by said first element to move said second element outwardly upon rotation of said seat support means toward said one position. 